rheumatoid arthritis or similar issues?

Hi all-- I posted something similar in the TTC board but haven't had any responses! I'm wondering if anyone else out there suffers from RA or lupus or other autoimmune disorders. I was diagnosed with RA 3 years ago and just started TTC last month. I'm worried that we'll have trouble conceiving because of it... apparently it can interfere with ovulation? That coupled with the fact that I have been on BCP for about 7 years makes me really nervous that I'm not ovulating. I will do the OPKs and all that but I have heard they aren't 100%.

Basically I guess I'm just wondering if anyone is similarly situated and worried, or if people have success stories or tips about TTC while living with RA.

I have at least heard that while pregnant, women with RA usually feel great, so that's a plus! It's just getting there that may be a challenge... I really hope not!

Hi all-- I posted something similar in the TTC board but haven't had any responses! I'm wondering if anyone else out there suffers from RA or lupus or other autoimmune disorders. I was diagnosed with RA 3 years ago and just started TTC last month. I'm worried that we'll have trouble conceiving because of it... apparently it can interfere with ovulation? That coupled with the fact that I have been on BCP for about 7 years makes me really nervous that I'm not ovulating. I will do the OPKs and all that but I have heard they aren't 100%.

Basically I guess I'm just wondering if anyone is similarly situated and worried, or if people have success stories or tips about TTC while living with RA.

I have at least heard that while pregnant, women with RA usually feel great, so that's a plus! It's just getting there that may be a challenge... I really hope not!

Hi there--
I have RA and I gave birth to our first daughter almost 3 months ago. I was on sulfasalazine while we were TTC, and my rheumatologist had me stop taking it as soon as we found out I was pregnant. I had a couple of nasty flares at the beginning, and my wrists stayed swollen pretty much the entire pregnancy, but it wasn't too bad. Took Tylenol here and there.
My problem came after delivery. The flares became so bad that I had to go back on my meds, plus prednisone, to get them under control. And that meant no more breastfeeding. Very sad for me. My doctor said women usually go into remission during pregnancy because your body naturally suppresses your immune system to carry the baby. It's afterward that you can run into problems. Just keep in touch with your rheumatologist. Having RA didn't affect our odds of pregnancy, but it definitely requires management. Good luck!

Hi there--
I have RA and I gave birth to our first daughter almost 3 months ago. I was on sulfasalazine while we were TTC, and my rheumatologist had me stop taking it as soon as we found out I was pregnant. I had a couple of nasty flares at the beginning, and my wrists stayed swollen pretty much the entire pregnancy, but it wasn't too bad. Took Tylenol here and there.
My problem came after delivery. The flares became so bad that I had to go back on my meds, plus prednisone, to get them under control. And that meant no more breastfeeding. Very sad for me. My doctor said women usually go into remission during pregnancy because your body naturally suppresses your immune system to carry the baby. It's afterward that you can run into problems. Just keep in touch with your rheumatologist. Having RA didn't affect our odds of pregnancy, but it definitely requires management. Good luck!

Thanks for your reply :) and congrats on the little one! I'm glad to hear you didn't have any trouble conceiving, what I have read so far has been kinda mixed and so I'm hoping it's actually uncommon. That's too bad you had to quit breastfeeding because of it, but it definitely makes sense. I am on Enbrel and I am taking it sparingly (every 2 weeks) while TTC and I'll stop if I get pg... hope you're feeling okay!

Thanks for your reply :) and congrats on the little one! I'm glad to hear you didn't have any trouble conceiving, what I have read so far has been kinda mixed and so I'm hoping it's actually uncommon. That's too bad you had to quit breastfeeding because of it, but it definitely makes sense. I am on Enbrel and I am taking it sparingly (every 2 weeks) while TTC and I'll stop if I get pg... hope you're feeling okay!

Hey there, so glad to find a couple of other RA suffers!! I'm currently 11wk preg wt my 1st and have had RA for 4yrs! I was off the pill for 10months before we conceived, but had been on OCP for 12yrs, as for my meds I was on plaquenil and pred when we found out. I stopped the plaq straight away bc of complications but was having horrible flare ups to start wt so have stayed on 5mg of pred which has helped a little. My symptoms have eased and I'm not having flare ups but moreso just get a little sore depending on what I've been doing. I want to try to stop the pred but my dr seems to think that the benefits out way the risks at the mo! Hope that helps you?! Good luck :)

Hey there, so glad to find a couple of other RA suffers!! I'm currently 11wk preg wt my 1st and have had RA for 4yrs! I was off the pill for 10months before we conceived, but had been on OCP for 12yrs, as for my meds I was on plaquenil and pred when we found out. I stopped the plaq straight away bc of complications but was having horrible flare ups to start wt so have stayed on 5mg of pred which has helped a little. My symptoms have eased and I'm not having flare ups but moreso just get a little sore depending on what I've been doing. I want to try to stop the pred but my dr seems to think that the benefits out way the risks at the mo! Hope that helps you?! Good luck :)

Congrats! Glad to hear your symptoms have eased up, hope they just continue to get better! I also read that taking Aleve, Advil, etc. isn't wise during pregnancy because they thin the blood and so Tylenol is the only safe OTC. Good to know because my rheumatologist totally failed to mention that one. Starting our second month TTC, fx'd for Oct baby :)

Congrats! Glad to hear your symptoms have eased up, hope they just continue to get better! I also read that taking Aleve, Advil, etc. isn't wise during pregnancy because they thin the blood and so Tylenol is the only safe OTC. Good to know because my rheumatologist totally failed to mention that one. Starting our second month TTC, fx'd for Oct baby :)

Thanks :) Yeah I think Tylenol is the same as paracetamol over here?! And yep that's all I've been able to take but I've actually enjoyed not having to worry about taking so many meds! Good luck with everything! If you ever want to chat am happy to drop you my email addy?!

Thanks :) Yeah I think Tylenol is the same as paracetamol over here?! And yep that's all I've been able to take but I've actually enjoyed not having to worry about taking so many meds! Good luck with everything! If you ever want to chat am happy to drop you my email addy?!

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